Taming Romeo by Rachelle Ayala Page B

Before I have a chance to give him a bite, he breaks the kiss.
    “Because I don’t want to be doing this with someone else’s girl.”
    “I’m not his. I’m yours, always have been. I swear.” My knees buckle and I collapse onto the floor, sobbing.
    “Strange way of showing it.” He puts the helmet on the floor beside me. “I don’t know what my mother wants to talk about, but I want you to be honest with her. Unfortunately, I didn’t give her all the information about us, because I didn’t know this last bit until this morning.”
    “Who told you?” I hug the helmet.
    “Your father.”
    “What? How could he know?”
    Romeo goes to the kitchen and returns with a tissue. “He says Carlos told him the night of the prom, but he’s telling me this morning because our mothers are planning our wedding and he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
    “I told Carlos?” A sinking feeling smashes me as I recall the hurried explanation. “Why’d he tell Papa?”
    “He might have had to explain why he ended up at the dance with you.” Romeo dabs my cheeks with the tissue. “Anyway, don’t be mad at Carlos.”
    “I’m not.” I cover my face. I’m sure my makeup is all in pieces by now and I look like a ghoul from the Halloween store. “I’m just sad I lost you. All through the years, no matter what happened, I always had two things going for me. My family and you.”
    “Hey, hey. Don’t cry.” He puts his arm around my shoulder. “I’m still here, aren’t I? Why don’t you go to the bathroom and fix your makeup? I’ll call my mom and let her know we’ll be a little late.”
    # # #
    For the second time this morning, we pull Tita Elena’s Benz onto the freeway and head for Mercy Hospital. I’m as calm as I can be, given the circumstances.
    Romeo seems friendly on the surface, but there’s a distance that grows each mile we drive. It’s nothing overt. He doesn’t glare at me or scowl. He’s still pleasant, smiling, making little jokes. But he doesn’t reach over and touch my knee and he doesn’t wink and flirt. In fact, his eyes are hidden behind wraparound sunglasses.
    He doesn’t remove his shades until we’re parked inside the hospital parking structure.
    “Ready?” I touch his hand.
    “Yeah, I’m not sure how we’re supposed to play this. I don’t want to give my mother any more shocks.”
    “Don’t worry. I don’t have any more surprises.” I withdraw my hand since he doesn’t respond to my touch.
    “Oh, yeah, one more thing.” He rubs his jaw and his Adam’s apple lurches. “Did you take the pill?”
    I open my purse and pull out the wadded tissue. “Today’s the last day.”
    He takes it and unfolds it. “Is this what you want?”
    “It’s not a big deal, right? I might not even be pregnant.” I’m not sure if he’s going to make me take it right now in front of him. “What do you want me to do?”
    “I’ll be honest. I like the idea of having a part of me inside of you. Marking you so no other guy will get any ideas. But I don’t want you tied to me because of an accident.” He hands it back to me. “What about you?”
    “I want another chance. I want to know that no matter what happens, what mistakes I make, and how much I screw up, that you’ll always care about me. That you won’t turn your back on me. Even if I deserve to be sent packing.”
    ‘Then I have to be the only man in your heart. I can’t take being hurt again. I’ll just clam up and walk away.”
    “I won’t ever hurt you again. I promise.”
    He puts a finger on my lips. “Don’t make any commitments until you know what’s in your heart.”
    “I do know.” A panicky flutter erupts inside my stomach.
    He bites that lip ring of his and shakes his head slowly. “You’re afraid to lose me. It’s not the same.”
    “What do I have to do to prove it to you?”
    “Nothing. I’ll know.”
    “So, what do we do now?” I roll the pill between my fingers.
    “I still have a little